loubiblu

Have had a good look around and found some really useful stuff on here. Our family will be moving to the Chicago area in Jan 15 (hubby prob going Oct 14). It's an inter-company job with the option of downtown Chicago or Schaumburg. Our main issues are commute time (<60 mins) and schools. We're moving at prob the worst time for our oldest 2 -18yr old about to go into upper 6th for A2s and 16 yr old starting yr 11 in Sept for GCSEs. We also have an 11yr old who will move up to secondary school in Sept. Advice please on looking for schools

Pulaski

Honestly, stay behind for five months, because you are about to completely s¢rëw up the education of two of your children.

thinbrit

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Gillymonkey

I have to agree, that is the worst possible ages to be moving kids. The education systems are completely different.

Sally Redux

Agree. Nightmare for the older two.

Bob

On top of that, what are their plans for uni? Need 3 years EU residency to get UK rates...okay, international rates aren't going to be much more, but it's the upfront v after they're earning a wedge to pay off student loans or private loans that's the main issue. Some folks have blagged getting out of that issue on the L1 as a temporary move for work, but if you've long term plans to stay, then you'd need to consider the costs, that and costs of studying in the US.

As for schools, there's a few sites like greatschools etc, that you can search out and get an idea for and city-data.com might help.

There's a few folks in and around those areas on BE who might have some ideas. You'd said what you're looking for in commute times, but budget range and if you're looking for a home/condo, whatever kind of thing might help too.

Bnet36

You should seriously consider a good International school. Yes it's a tricky time to move kids but I have a colleague that moved to the US with her daughter going into the last year of A levels. She integrated well into an international school and is now in College (university) here. Of course at this age your kids need to be ok with getting a degree here. The curriculum is different, students must complete maths, science and other pre requisites (regardless of major) in the first 2 years of college - which is like going back to GCSEs

loubiblu

Delaying is not really feasible. It's a 3-5 year move with the aim of returning to the UK. I've spoken to the oldest children's current school and hey will be returning to the UK at the beginning of May to sit their exams. They will also have access to the school's VLE and we'll be looking at after school tutors as an extra boost. We're considering The British School of Chicago, although all are keen to integrate into an American high school. The oldest is set on going to uni in England (Durham) and will be applying in Sept with a possible deferred entry until Sept 16.

We're looking for a large family home in a residential area, budget is around $4000/mth rental.

Sally Redux

Possibly you could delay moving the family over to join your husband until after the exams.

Your oldest would effectively just work on A-levels from the school in the UK anyway. Seems like it would be distracting for him to attend a US school at all.

It looks like the British School of Chicago does IGCSEs and IB from the website. Hard to tell from that whether it's any good.

16-year-old would take GCSEs in the UK also and then could go into the IB course at the BSC or an American school. Then UK university?

Sorry I don't know any specifics about Chicago.

loubiblu

I'm hopefully not being too naive as to the impact of the move on the oldest 2. They've been involved in the decision from the start and appreciate that they'll be coming back to do their exams in May 15. Having already been through the GCSE process once, after Feb half term most of the lessons are spent on revision. The idea of them entering high school is so that they can establish themselves into their community. They're both intelligent and motivated enough to put the hours in on an evening to revise their respective subjects.

It seems from advice on other threads that you either choose a house then hope the school is in the catchment area or set your heart on the best school and then find a home that works. We can be fairly flexible with the rental budget, but it will be a deal breaker for my husband if the commute is more than an hour. As I said earlier, we have an office location choice of either Schaumburg or downtown Chicago (Quincy/Wells area)

Pulaski

You're kidding, right?

loubiblu

Not really, son has already achieved 11 GCSEs (4 A*, 6 A, 1 B), daughter on target to beat him (much to her joy!). I'm a former teacher and current school on board with supporting the move - they want their grades for their league tables. If they want to stay in that UK until after their exams then we'll support that, but neither have suggested it. Post 16 for daughter might bring some complications, but IB at British School of Chicago is very possible. As for university entry in the UK, non-traditional entry routes are becoming more normal and there's a thought that going to uni is not the be all and end all that it once was. 3-5 years of experiencing another country does bring positive benefits too :-)

SmallShinyAnt

So thats where all the smart people are. I think the move will give them a great opportunity to grow as people. Good luck with your move.

Sally Redux

For the 18-year-old, do not underestimate the different system. Entering the second half of senior year will be pretty much pointless academically. Then he will be going back to UK right at the time of Prom and graduation, so will miss the social highlights.

16-year-old a bit easier, you will need to get credit for UK work done to put on her US transcript. Don't assume she will not miss her UK life, that is a tough age to move.

Pulaski

This, both points. And this.